Just pretend you're weak as a whiney baby...
#26
Peloton Shelter Dog
Why would anyone here have to pretend?
#27
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Cheap tires and cheap wheels usually equal hardest to mount. The one wheel I have used that makes almost any tire easy to mount would be Mavic Kysirium.
#28
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Broke a tire lever trying to put on GP4000S tires and the job took hours (I'm a newb)! I would suggest Panaracer Stradius PRO tires: https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=5420
I put these on the same wheels as the GP4000S were on and almost wept with joy at the ease of putting these on. The Panaracers are also softer than the GP4000S so they provide a lot of grip, but probably won't last as long. The Panaracers were also new when I put them on compared to the 500 miles used GP4000S and they still were MUCH easier to replace.
#29
Sensible shoes.
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I've got 10sp campy set-ups in three sets of wheels. And a pile of tires. When you return to the tundra swing by and I'll let you try what I've got. I'm thinking Conti Ultra Gatorskins are a good bet. My Schwalbe Ultremos are a royal beast. Mundo cussing involved.
OK, I'm gonna ask a question here, and you're not going to like answering.
I'm female. I have little hands. I have a hard time getting a tire off a rim sometimes, although I always carry 3 tire irons.
I'm taking a wheel building class next month, and I want to set up a rim/tire combo that is the easiest to change.
Now, I know you guys will not want to admit to any tire being hard to change, and that you're going to say that if you have to use a tire iron, you don't deserve to be on the road. But, well, there it is. I have no upper body strength.
So, let's hear what the easiest combinations are. I want a decent set-up for 10-speed campy on 700c rims.
I'm female. I have little hands. I have a hard time getting a tire off a rim sometimes, although I always carry 3 tire irons.
I'm taking a wheel building class next month, and I want to set up a rim/tire combo that is the easiest to change.
Now, I know you guys will not want to admit to any tire being hard to change, and that you're going to say that if you have to use a tire iron, you don't deserve to be on the road. But, well, there it is. I have no upper body strength.
So, let's hear what the easiest combinations are. I want a decent set-up for 10-speed campy on 700c rims.
#30
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My front wheel has been bomb proof, as I still use it because its more areo and lighter then my mavic open pro's/dura ace 7800 hub wheels, but the rear started popping spokes like non other last season with less then 1500 miles on them. I'm not a big guy either at 150lbs.
#31
Peloton Shelter Dog
The biggest factor determining the ease of mounting or removing a clincher tire is how new or old the tire is. New ones are tough, older tires are easier after they've worn down and stretched out. I typically can get the Conti 4000GPs on by hand (I always need tire levers to remove them). Sometimes they're stubborn and I need the tire levers to mount them as well. It's more a technique issue than a sheer strength thing for me, but I'm an adult male, it would be tougher for a woman with less strength and smaller hands. Nothing tire levers shouldn't help you with.
It's more a matter of practice. I've been doing tire changes for 20 years in my garage, on the road, in the dark, etc. It's easier for me now than it was a long time ago.
It's more a matter of practice. I've been doing tire changes for 20 years in my garage, on the road, in the dark, etc. It's easier for me now than it was a long time ago.
#32
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#33
Senior Member
Sometimes it's technique. Really. You need to roll the tire a lot more than would seem logical.
Confession: I've changed a zillion tires road tires, but my wifes Mtn bike has such a tight fit I broke a lever. I was losing my mind. I just couldn't get it.
I got help -- and the guy did it bare handed. It was all about pulling sideways and rolling. I've chaged my approach and have much better luck with her bike now.
Maybe this can help you too.
Confession: I've changed a zillion tires road tires, but my wifes Mtn bike has such a tight fit I broke a lever. I was losing my mind. I just couldn't get it.
I got help -- and the guy did it bare handed. It was all about pulling sideways and rolling. I've chaged my approach and have much better luck with her bike now.
Maybe this can help you too.
Did the same thing recently with Bontrager Race lites and Continental Ultra Gatorskins. The Park tire irons were looking hopeless it was soooo tight. I started working in bead with my fingers in the areas I "thought" were seated, and gradually pushed the unseated area over the lip. Genius.
Previous Vredestien's from Performance, and the Tri-comps were a piece of cake. No problems with Continental 4000's on Ksyrium SL's either.
#34
staring at the mountains
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+1 on Hutchinsons, I run the (relatively inexpensive) Top Speeds and I can change them with minimal usage of a tire lever. Wheels used include Velocity Fusions and Neuvations ...
#35
Portland Fred
There's nothing wrong with using tire irons. I use 'em all the time. Some tires mount and come off easier than others. I say stick with the tires you like and keep the irons. Even if you find tires you can change without tools, you may find that things work very differently when you can't feel your frozen fingers and your tires are cold.
#36
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You will find the Continental Grand Prix tires to be very easy to mount. They are also a comfortable supple ride.
#37
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As for the Continentals, a 28 Gatorskin practically falls off my rim, but getting Continental Ultrasports on or off a Velocity or a Mavic rim is just stupidly difficult (and if baxtefer lurks here, he will concur ).
Hutchinson Fusions went on and off easy enough, Vittoria Tecnos were the easiest to get on or off any rim by far. I would guess the Open Corsas are the current version of these tires, but that's a wild guess, never rode the Corsas.
#38
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I didn't know you were a female. Anybody else know she was a female?
Doesn't change anything. I'm just sayin'
Well actually I'm usually nicer to females so it does change some things, but . . . .
Doesn't change anything. I'm just sayin'
Well actually I'm usually nicer to females so it does change some things, but . . . .
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#39
Weeeeoooooo!
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+2. My cheapie pair of Hutchinsons are the easiest tire I've ever mounted. I can mount these tires all day long without tire levers. However, the rear looks like its only going to last 3000 miles, and the compound and contact areas aren't very ideal. Still, fantastic cheap tire.
#41
Recumbent Ninja
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I have two suggestions. First is try Vittorias, Rubino Comp or preferably Open Corsas. The high thread count casings make them very supple and Vittorias have a reputation for being looser on wheel than other tires, so much so in fact that there have been many complaints about them rolling off wheels (never happened to me on thousands of hard miles......).
Second suggestion is a little item worth it's weight in gold. While I can get most tires on and off without a tool, when they are tough this thing is the ticket.
Second suggestion is a little item worth it's weight in gold. While I can get most tires on and off without a tool, when they are tough this thing is the ticket.
#42
Peloton Shelter Dog
Those speed levers look like bike weenie Jaws of Life.
#43
Ho-Jahm
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Hutchinson Top Speeds slide right on without tire levers to velocity aeroheads, I've only had a few flats with them over 1500 miles too. I have a pair on kryllion carbons waiting to replace them, so I'll see how easy they go on.
#44
Squirrel
Thread Starter
Is that what they're called? Speed levers?
Thanks for all the suggestions, guys. My teacher in my overhaul class did show me a technique to help mount tires which involved working the excess to one side of the rim. I haven't tried it yet. I can't quite envision a similar technique for taking it off.
The rim I couldn't get the tire on was a Campagnolo Ypsilon rim. It took 2 tire irons, me turning red in the face, and* a big burly guy from my class to get the tire off of this rim.
Thanks for all the suggestions, guys. My teacher in my overhaul class did show me a technique to help mount tires which involved working the excess to one side of the rim. I haven't tried it yet. I can't quite envision a similar technique for taking it off.
The rim I couldn't get the tire on was a Campagnolo Ypsilon rim. It took 2 tire irons, me turning red in the face, and* a big burly guy from my class to get the tire off of this rim.
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Last edited by solveg; 01-30-08 at 07:45 AM.
#45
Squirrel
Thread Starter
#46
Making a kilometer blurry
I don't carry tire levers unless I end up with a tire that I just can't remove bare-handed, then I'll carry them for a month or two, until the tire loosens up.
There are a couple techniques for bare-handed removal that should help:
- Make sure as much air as possible is out of the tube. Open the valve, clamp the wheel between your calves (tire on skin) and push down on the top of it, so you have four areas of contact.
- Place the valve stem at the top, tire on the ground. FIRMLY pull the tire tight around the rim by starting at the valve stem with both hands, and sliding them down the tire until you get close to the ground. Grab the rim and tire with your hands so the tire doesn't slide back around toward the valve stem side.
You have now loosened the bead enough that you should be able to get it over the rim. This works for me for 99% of tires (including different brands on other people's bikes). It's VERY rare for me to need a tire lever, even with frozen hands (did this last week in 35F rain -- could barely feel my fingers).
#47
Portland Fred
Also, be aware that despite the fact that all tire irons are look similar, they are not created equal. Just last week, I helped a buddy change a tire. This guy rides over 10K miles a year and has changed many tires but was having difficulty due to uncooperative tires and cold hands.
I used his irons rather than my own. Although I got the tire off in a minute or so, his POS irons were easily twice as hard as mine to use. When I pulled mine out to show how they were different, he decided to buy another set.
#48
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I currently have Tacx ones that I like, and I like Parks too, though the Parks have been too thick or busted in tight fits where the Tacx haven't.
#49
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butterknife. beats all other tire levers i've ever used. its metal, rounded edges, and its thinner than most any tire tool i've used. that said, my rolf's and pro race 2's slip on like fuzzy slippers.
some talc powder and good technique go a long way.
some talc powder and good technique go a long way.
#50
Parttime Member
Vittoria Diamante Pro folding tires are the easiest I have ever mounted. I always use levers to get off, because that's what they are made for, and the Diamante Pros are easy enough to mount by hand with very little force. I do make sure the tube is partially inflated and seated inside the rim and you can kind of stretch/coax the tire to get as much excess as possible where you need to finish mounting on the rim.
The Vittoria Zaffiro tires that came on my Bianchi are low end tires with a wire bead. Those things were so difficult to get off and on I replaced them prematurely because I was fearful of flatting on the road with them.
My advice, if you have a set of tires that are difficult to mount and you don't want that, try a different set of tires as suggested by someone here being easy to get off/on. The Diamante Pro is a better qualtiy tire and can be found at Probikekit.com for $25-30 shipped ($50 in LBS). I'd recommend those.
The Vittoria Zaffiro tires that came on my Bianchi are low end tires with a wire bead. Those things were so difficult to get off and on I replaced them prematurely because I was fearful of flatting on the road with them.
My advice, if you have a set of tires that are difficult to mount and you don't want that, try a different set of tires as suggested by someone here being easy to get off/on. The Diamante Pro is a better qualtiy tire and can be found at Probikekit.com for $25-30 shipped ($50 in LBS). I'd recommend those.